Tri-Service General Hospital uses internal tourniquet to save student

Medical teams at Tri-Service General Hospital successfully saved a high school student who fell from a fifth-floor residence. The student suffered severe pelvic fractures and massive internal bleeding, leading to shock and loss of consciousness.

To manage the life-threatening hemorrhage, doctors utilized REBOA (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta), a procedure often referred to as an ‘internal tourniquet.’ By inserting a catheter into the femoral artery and inflating a balloon in the aorta, the team was able to temporarily block blood flow to the pelvic region. This provided a critical 30 to 40-minute window to stabilize the patient and prepare for surgery by prioritizing blood supply to the brain and heart.

The hospital also employed a rapid infuser system for massive blood transfusions and a mobile percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) system. The student is currently undergoing rehabilitation.